In Attendance: Lillian G. Burry, Chairperson/Township Committee Liaison
Ellen Terry, Secretary
Jane Davis
Lori Furey
Peggy Joline
Harold Kilbride
Julie McGowan
Patricia Mitchell
Diana Piotrowski
Ed Piotrowski
Nancy Plumfield
Louise Whitney

Absent:

Nancy L. Boylan (excused)
Robert Cooke
Ann Rippa (excused)
Cathi Trost (excused)

Visitors:

1. Chairperson Burry called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM. She announced that Jiggs Conover, once the owner of the original Holly Bush Farm, had passed away. William Conover, her husband, traces his lineage back to the original Conovers and this farm site.
2. On a motion by Mrs. Joline and seconded by Mrs. Burry, the minutes of February 6, 2001 were accepted.
3. Mrs. Burry announced that Monmouth County Archives Day will be held on October 13 at the Monmouth County Library in Manalapan. Distinguished guest speaker will be Marc Mappen, Director, New Jersey Historical Commission, and the keynote speaker will be Molly Pitcher, Revolutionary War heroine. Members were unanimously in favor of having an exhibit there.
4. Mrs. Burry presented budget data for the Committee. An additional ÒWelcome to Colts NeckÓ sign has been budgeted, but the Township Committee chose not to support more plaques for historic sites this year. Also, $500.00 has been budgeted for printing the map, which the Committee wants framed as well, and $1,000.00 for printing a pamphlet about Colts Neck history.
5. Mr. Kilbride announced that the components of the map of Colts Neck prior to 1865 are complete, and it now needs to be assembled. Mrs. McGowan contributed a beautiful watercolor of the Colts Neck Inn for the map. It could also be used as stationery, or a postal card. Ms. Terry will investigate a special postal cancellation.
6. Mrs. Davis reported that there are three places firmly committed for the house tour in September: the Sheehy home, the Reform Church parsonage, and the Montrose School. Mrs. Whitney will have the school professionally cleaned. She announced that Dot Gunther will serve as teacher for the day, and will need a couple of helpers. Mrs. Whitney stated that a crossing guard will be needed, because the police will most likely request that visitors park on Holland Lane. Mrs. Burry suggested some flowers be placed inside the school, and some flowers planted outside. Each house will have at least one additional hostess, and the public will be offered plastic bags to hold their shoes.

   Mr. Kilbride will continue getting houses for the tour. He has spoken with the Napolitellos, and will call them back. He will also call the Bremers, then Janssens on Creamery, and the owner of the yellow Gothic cottage in the Phalanx section. He and Mrs. Burry will speak with Carolyn Flock.

   The price of tickets was set at $20.00. The price last year was $25.00, but that included transportation. The tickets for luncheon at HuddyÕs will be separate, and priced at $12.00. Two hundred tickets will be printed. Guests will have the option to purchase by mail or in person. Colts Neck Realty will be listed for ticket sales. Other expenses will include signs, programs and luncheon menus. Floral arrangements will be solicited from local florists.

   Announcements will be placed in both the Colts Neck Journal and the Colts Neck Calendar. Mrs. Burry will try to get an Asbury Park Press article prior to the event. A notice will be sent to other historic societies in the county.

7. Mrs. Burry, Mr. Kilbride, Mrs. McGowan, Mrs. Piotrowski, Mrs. Plumfield and Mrs. Trost will serve on the subcommittee to produce an historic Colts Neck pamphlet. Mrs. Plumfield has assembled a collection of pamphlets from other towns. The first meeting will be at the Colts Neck Library on Thursday, April 26, at 5:30 PM.
8. Mrs. Burry and Mr. Kilbride are making plans to visit Trenton to attempt to persuade Commission Shinn to visit Colts Neck as part of the effort to be named an historic district. Although the county has done the groundwork, Mr. Kilbride stated that some buildings are older than the county claims they are. Being named as an historic district can benefit the Township by protecting buildings in the district from being displaced by road widening, and making available low interest loans for restoration. Mrs. Burry recounted the enormous amount of work involved in Matawan when she did historic preservation there. First the town purchased the building, then got it registered, and finally restored it. It took a long time to accomplish all this, and included extensive archeological research.
9. Ms. Furey reported that it is premature for the Fair subcommittee to finalize their plans. Ms. Rippa will make the pillows to be sold. Mrs. Plumfield suggested the designs be printed on T shirts as well.
10. Mr. Piotrowski has continued research on Township cemeteries, has taken photographs of head stones, and has assembled family histories. He plans to put this information first on the Township web site, and then build it into a book.
11. The list of homes that were awarded historic plaques will be placed on the Township web site. An ÒeboardÓ with password will be investigated.
12. The third graders will take the annual tour of the Township in June. Mrs. McGowan gave them large maps to follow. Mrs. Plumfield asked for historic preservation projects the children can get involved in.
13. On a motion by Mrs. Joline and seconded by Mr. Kilbride, the meeting was adjourned at 7:03 PM. The next meeting will be TUESDAY, MAY 1, 2001.

Respectfully submitted,

Ellen Terry

Secretary

Go to History Information Page
Go to Colts Neck Home Page